Reducing the profile of repatriation ceremonies in the UK for casualties from
wars could made conflicts more acceptable to the public, a Ministry of
Defence document suggests.

A study by an MoD think tank into how to improve public opinion of British military involvement in conflicts also proposed using more special forces as deaths from the SAS seem to have less of an impact on the public.

The group was formed to consider ways to improve negative reaction to British casualties, and contained a suggestion of “reducing the public profile of repatriation ceremonies”.

During the MoD’s discussions, using mercenaries and unmanned vehicles were also given as a way to improve public perception of wars.

The document, written in 2012, was obtained by the Guardian under the Freedom of Information Act.

It suggests taking steps to "reduce public sensitivity to the penalties inherent in military operations” as it said there was a feeling Britons now had a more “risk averse” attitude.

It also says that the public seem to have a more “robust” attitude to deaths in the special forces, and suggests using greater numbers from these forces, as well as from private security companies.

The document adds: “Neither the media nor the public in the west appear to identify with contractors in the way that they do with their military personnel. Thus casualties from within the contractorised force are more acceptable in pursuit of military ends than those from among our own forces."

The suggestions are likely to draw criticism from families who have had relatives killed in military conflicts.

A spokesman for the MoD said they had no plans to change repatriation ceremonies, and the suggestions were part of an internal document intended to start debate and consider alternatives. They added: “To represent this paper as policy or a potential shift of policy is misleading.”

Wootton Bassett was the main town for military repatriation ceremonies to take place from 2007, until August 2011.